Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday asked the MPs of their respective Houses to wear masks and practice social distancing in view of the surging COVID-19 cases in the world

Dhankar said that the House needs to lead the nation by example.

“I urge all the members to be extra-cautious about the surging Covid cases in the world,” Dhankhar said. “It is our ardent duty to set an example before our countrymen.”

India, he said, had overcome the challenges of COVID-19 in the past due to coordinated efforts of the administration, doctors, healthcare professionals and the sanitation workers.

Over two billion doses of free Covid vaccines were administered in record time, an unparalleled fleet in the world. Besides, these were digitally recorded and certificates issued, again another unparallel example in the world for its scale, size and speed.

“Currently, the Covid situation is getting alarming. We need to be vigilant and take all precautionary steps, including wearing masks, using sanitisers and maintaining social distancing.

“I urge all of you to wear masks inside the House as well,” Dhankhar said. “Once again I request you that we need to join hands and lead the nation by example.”

Most members on the treasury benches and some in the opposition ranks were seen wearing masks but they continued to sit without any spacing.

After the pandemic first broke out, the MPs’ seating arrangements were changed with some of them being seated in the chamber and others in galleries to allow for social distancing. However, normal sitting resumed in March this year.

Dhankhar came to the House on Thursday wearing a mask. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too was seen wearing one as he occupied his front-row seat during the Question Hour.

This was when questions pertaining to the departments he holds were being answered. Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh answered a question on hybrid mode of hearing by information commissions.

Read more: PM Modi to review Covid related situation in country at high-level meeting: States step up measures

Meanwhile, LS Speaker Om Birla advised parliamentarians to wear a mask and spread awareness about Covid-appropriate behaviour.

Birla came to the House wearing a mask himself and said Covid cases are once again on the rise in certain countries.

He said the government has taken quick steps and asked people to wear masks in crowded places and follow Covid-related protocols.

“We should be vigilant keeping in mind the past trends of the pandemic,” he told the members.

He also said masks have been made available for MPs at the entry points of the Lok Sabha chamber and they should all wear one.

Besides MPs, masks were also distributed to journalists covering the Winter session of Parliament.

The Lok Sabha secretariat has asked employees to wear masks and following distancing norms, sources said.

“We were asked to wear masks before entering the Lok Sabha chamber. We welcome this step. The Lok Sabha secretariat had made arrangements to ensure enough masks were available for members,” said BJP MP Manoj Tiwari.

Former Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said he came wearing a mask and was happy to note that Birla too has urged members to mask up.

“Even before the Speaker’s advice, members were wearing mask. It is a healthy sign and sends good signal to people that MPs have started wearing mask and they should also follow,” he said.